NBA Power Rankings: Top Risers and Fallers of the Week

With the 2013 All-Star Game and trade deadline both behind us, the NBA is ready to move forward with its push for the postseason. In the week since such events, we've already seen the postseason landscape take shape.

Who are the top risers and fallers of this past week of NBA basketball?

Some teams have snapped out of recent funks, while others have elevated their season-long brilliance. Others have hit a dry spell and fallen from their perch among the postseason contenders.

So how is the NBA's playoff picture shaping up?

***All records and stats are accurate as of games through Sunday, February 24.

As a result, fatigue has forced a playoff-caliber starting lineup to steadily drop out of the postseason race.

With Eric Maynor coming to Portland via trade, the Blazers could see an improvement in their bench's production. If that fails, however, this will be a lost season for a promising team led by Rookie of the Year favorite Damian Lillard.

20. Milwaukee Bucks

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W-L Record: 26-28

Scoring Offense: 97.7 (12th)

Scoring Defense: 98.8 (18th)

Last 10: 2-8

The Milwaukee Bucks have lost nine of their past 11 games. Even with the addition of J.J. Redick, one can't help but ask: Could the Bucks lose their grip on a postseason spot we once labeled as a lock?

Milwaukee plays six of its next nine games on the road. Fortunately, the Bucks are a solid 12-14 away from home. It's close enough to .500 that one is inclined to believe that they will survive their extensive road trip.

The Bucks are currently four games in front of the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Rpators for eighth in the Eastern Conference. With Philly having lost five straight, that has Milwaukee sitting comfortably.

Just don't think that this is an impressive postseason resume—the Sixers would be 10th in the Western Conference.

The talent is there with Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders, but this team hasn't put it together.

18. Dallas Mavericks

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W-L Record: 25-30

Scoring Offense: 101.5 (7th)

Scoring Defense: 102.6 (27th)

Last 10: 6-4

For all that is made of the Dallas Mavericks' lack of a franchise point guard, they don't have a problem racking up assists: Eighth in assists per game and assisting 59.6 percent of their field goals (via NBA.com).

As a result, the Mavs are seventh in the NBA in scoring offense and eighth in three-point field-goal percentage. As soon as their defense improves, Dallas could solidify its status as a postseason contender.

Most recently, we've seen the Mavericks win six of their past nine games. In that time, Dirk Nowitzki has stepped up to average 18.3 points per game.

That includes a 30-point, 13-rebound slugfest with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers—one Dallas lost. Even still, the Mavericks are just 4.5 games behind the Houston Rockets for the eighth seed.

9. Golden State Warriors

As of Feb. 19, the Golden State Warriors had lost six consecutive games. As of Feb. 24, the Warriors have won three straight.

They haven't come easy, but this young team has showed incredible resilience to bounce back from a dry spell.

Most recently, they won 100-99 at the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Jarrett Jack led the way with 23 points and eight assists.

Their shining moment, however, came as they took down the Western Conference's top team. In an overtime battle with the San Antonio Spurs, Jack put up 30 points and 10 assists to lead the Warriors to a 107-101 OT victory.

David Lee, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Bogut (if healthy) and Jack make this team one of the best.

7. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets rank in the top five in terms of scoring offense, rebounding and assists per game.

They're sixth in turnovers forced, fourth in blocks and third in steals.

In other words, the Nuggets are a team that will light up the scoreboard, move the ball around, crash the glass and oppose every shot or pass that the opposition executes.

Unfortunately, Denver has lost four of its past six games. The Nuggets are also 26th in scoring defense.

When it comes to late-game situations, Danilo Gallinari has become one of the more clutch players in the NBA. In the same breath, Andre Iguodala is as good as any at making the key stop when the game is on the line.